Lighting, bike storage among features of new Wiehle-Reston station

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the new parking garage at the Wiehle-Reston Metro station.

Construction continues Friday at the new Wiehle-Reston East Metro station along the Silver Line. This is a view of the bus area south of the Dulle Toll Road. A new 2,300-space parking garage lies on the north side. (WTOP/Max Smith)

RESTON, Va. – With the Silver Line set to open in the next few months, WTOP got a behind the scenes tour of the place many drivers will park before they get on board.

The parking garage at the Wiehle-Reston East Station has about 2,300 spaces, a bike room and a bus vault that will see 108 buses come and go each hour during peak periods. It’s also the only garage along the first phase of the Silver Line.

Drivers heading to the lot will be able to turn from Wiehle Avenue onto Reston Station Boulevard or approach the station from Sunset Hills via Metro Center Drive.

Ellen Kamilakis with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation says like other garages attached to Metro stations, parking will cost $4.75 per day.

The garage has seven levels, five of which are underground. The top level, or plaza level, is open air and is where Metro riders will find the pedestrian bridge over the Dulles Toll Road to reach the station.

The next level down has the kiss and ride, bus circle and bike rooms. The secure bike room will only be accessible to people who purchase key fobs, but it is visible from the bus bays. The other bike area allows riders to lock bikes for free. Fairfax County bike planners expect to eventually put a Capital Bikeshare station there when the system expands to Reston.

Although the garage is five stories deep, Kamilakis says there will be cell phone boosters that ensure service for drivers who may need to contact someone for help with a flat tire. There will also be boosters for public safety radios.

The garage is lit by bright white LEDs that reflect off the mostly white paint.